Between 2011
and 2014 the entire world was following the events in Scotland with full
attention. For many of us it was very
important to see how a very old nation could become an independent country in
such a peaceful and democratic way. The Scottish case was an example of
neatness, legality and legitimacy.
Suddenly I
noticed some strange moves from the Spanish newspapers combined with some
comments from conservative leaders and I knew that something unsavoury was
moving in the darkness.
Spain is a
young democracy and unfortunately international affairs have not been part of
our strength, on the contrary, we all remember the Iraq war or the support for
the attempted coup in Venezuela against Chavez with Aznar at the head of this
embarrassing and undiplomatic episode. The old and rancid imperialistic spirit
remains alive to the shame of all of us.
Very soon my
suspicions became true: El Periódico
and El Confidencial were reporting
meetings between conservatives of both the UK and Spain to prepare a common strategy
and stop the advance and the success of the independence movements in Catalonia
and Scotland, even though they knew very well that both processes were entirely
different. In the middle of these reports, the name of the Conservative leader
Ruth Davidson came out along with the head of these meetings for the Spanish
delegation, González Pons (the same González Pons that after the Brexit vote,
realizing his earlier stupidity, spoke with the BBC to make the assurance that
Scotland’s membership wouldn´t be vetoed by Spain in the case of independence …
too little, too late). The photo of David Cameron and Mariano Rajoy together
will always be remembered as the start of the “International Better Together
Campaign”.
We all saw
Mr. Barroso disgracefully interfering in the debate with an argument that we now
all know was absolutely false (and insulting). And after Barroso, the Spanish
Veto Myth appeared in all newspapers and all the BBC & STV debates with the
assurance that Spain would be a real obstacle for the people of Scotland who
were and are so pro-European. Lies and more lies.
Despite some
Scottish bloggers explaining that there was no veto from Spain, the MSM spread
not only this myth but all the false arguments of the Better Together Campaign.
I lost count of the number of times that I had to try and clarify the reality
on my media platforms.
Many EU
Citizens voted NO in 2014 afraid of being left outside of the European Union.
We know now that the Better Together Campaign lied to the electorate and they
should be ashamed.
And what now?
All those who
were trying to alert us to this falsehood are now potential victims of the
Brexit shambles. Not only the Scots and EU nationals living in Scotland, but
many Scots living in European countries face the uncertainty of a no-deal
scenario… and even the insecurity of a bad deal.
Like many
Europeans, I’m married to a Scotsman. My husband, who has been living in
Galicia for more than twenty years and speaks Galician perfectly well, has had
no information whatsoever from the British Embassy. We learnt from the media
that the British Ambassador says that there will be no problems at all, even in
the case of a no-deal. Don’t worry, be
happy!
The same is
happening with other Scots abroad. No info, no indications, no assurances of
right of movement. I can easily imagine the scene: a boat sinking in the middle
of the Atlantic without any lifeboats and the Ambassador shouting at all of us:
“Tranquilos! No pasa nada!” Oh
dear.
Many of them
are preparing the arrangements to get Spanish nationality, not because they
feel at all happy with the political scenario here but because at least they
will have their European benefits in full.
It has been
painful thinking about the true reasons of those who voted for Brexit. Some of
our relatives and friends voted for it. But the reality is that they voted NO
in 2014 and this rendered their vote in the EU referendum irrelevant to the
majority vote in England.
I can
understand how the mantras and propaganda repeated every single time from
broadcasters and newspapers had some effect. But I cannot understand the racist
arguments. I never will.
How can
people buy the argument of stopping freedom of movement? How can anyone accept
the attacks on people who have come from Romania or Poland when they have
relatives or friends in Spain, France and Germany? Are they aware that when
they attack them, they are attacking us too? Are they aware that racism is
racism? We are all together in this.
The idea of
travelling with my husband to visit Scotland and having to pass the customs
check points in two different queues is absurd. The very thought of receiving a
notification of deportation from the Home Office for someone who has been part
of the UK for years or who lives between two countries is heart breaking. Even having
to get a visa is just nonsensical. It is devastating to think about being
rejected because a few people have decided to make a profit from the idea of
being isolated from Europe, or because they have decided to promote another old
and rancid Empire in the XXI century.
So, it has
been very helpful to see how in the middle of this darkness the Scottish
Government is giving us some hope. The insistent messages and actions taken by
the First Minister and Scottish MSPs and SNP MPs have given us the strength
that we all needed.
Nicola
Sturgeon’s arguments have been reported in all the Spanish media. At the same time,
she has become a brave and essential reference for common sense and
internationalism. Her position is very valued and her trips around the Globe
are now even more important than ever.
I cannot
believe what I’m hearing from voices of the opposition, especially those who
disgracefully created this Brexit shambles, criticizing the vital and necessary
tours being made by the First Minister who, incidentally, is very well
respected wherever she goes. Meanwhile some British channels are trying to
minimize her work, her real day job. Shame on them!
The First
Minister of Scotland is acting in the way that she needs to act, in the way
Scotland needs her Government to act: reinforcing international trade networks,
making stronger diplomatic links, promoting “Scotland the Brand” and spreading
the word of Scotland as a welcoming nation; sharing the principles of social
justice and standing up as a committed defender of the Human Rights Act. Nicola
Sturgeon is already acting like the highest representative of an independent
country.
And that’s
precisely our hope. To see our Scotland free; the Scotland that is telling us
every single day: “We want you here. We need you here. We support and defend
your rights”. That is the Scotland we love and makes us proud. Thank you to everyone
who has spoken up for us in the Scottish Parliament, in Westminster and abroad.
The lie that
Scotland won´t be accepted as an equal nation and partner in the EU panorama has
gone like many other lies told and repeated during the independence campaign.
Again, the people who were conspiring to promote this should hang their heads
in shame.
The Spanish
Government owes the Scottish people an apology and they should also stand up
for the rights of the Scots and the EU citizens to have a legitimate choice to
stay in Europe. Scotland deserves that.
It is a matter of fairness; it is a matter of justice. Now is the
time.
